Canadian Solar has secured an order to provide solar modules for the first phase of the 800MW Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park (DEWA Project) in Dubai.

Under the terms of the deal, Canadian Solar will deliver 268MW of double-glass Dymond modules. The 800MW plant is being developed in three phases.

All the three phases of the project are expected to be completed by 2020. When completed, the project will be one of the world’s largest single-location solar parks.

The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the project has been awarded to a consortium consisting of Acciona, Gransolar and Ghella.

For the first phase, about 800,000 double-glass Dymond modules will be used. Canadian Solar claims that the Dymond modules use heat-treated glass unlike the traditional polymer backsheet and the module does not have a metal frame, hence it requires no grounding.

The company said the panels can withstand high humidity, high temperatures, sandstorms, ultraviolet and corrosion, which translate into low maintenance and high productivity.

Canadian Solar has already started production and delivery of the Dymond modules for the project. The company has delivered close to 1GW of double-glass PV modules worldwide since their introduction in 2013.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is part of Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, according to which, the country plans to produce renewable and sustainable energy by diversifying its sources.

The country aims to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and imported natural gas and increase its solar energy to 15% of the total energy output by 2030.

Canadian Solar chairman and CEO Shawn Qu said: "We are proud to be partnering with Masdar / DEWA / EDF and the EPC JV on this outstanding project. I am confident that Canadian Solar's Dymond modules will perform well in the project's hot desert climate.

“As Dubai diversifies its energy portfolio, our partnership will serve as an excellent example for future utility-scale solar projects in the region, and we are eager to contribute further to the energy market growth in the Middle East."

Image: Canadian Solar to supply 268MW PV modules for solar park in Dubai. Photo: Courtesy of Johan Bolhuis/ FreeImages.com.